KUALA LUMPUR: The move by Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to work with Pakatan Harapan to form a unity government is seen as "selling one's pride" in exchange for power.
Bersatu supreme council member, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, said this was despite Umno's resolution against cooperating with PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and DAP.
At a ceramah in Rompin last night, Saifuddin, who is also Pahang Perikatan Nasional chairman, said although Umno's resolution was part of its national polls strategy, Zahid had been seen as a leader lacking the conviction to uphold his party's principles.
"The 15th General Election this time around is indeed weird and baffling, many unexpected things happened. This has also never happened, where there were those who cursed at their opponents, only to embrace each other after the election.
"There has not been a leader like Zahid in the general election who declared 'No Anwar, No DAP', just for the general election, then it's a different matter after the general election.
"So tomorrow he will say something, then the day after he will probably say something else. Before being appointed in the cabinet it's different, and once after the appointments, it will be different again.
"Some people tell me that this is a question of strategy, and yes I do understand the question of strategy but then even if it is about strategy, we in Perikatan Nasional (PN) will not be willing to compromise on our pride and dignity so cheaply. We just will not, and this is why we say that no PH means no PH, plain and simple.
"When we say no to forming a government with PH, this means no cooperation with PH," he said.
Saifuddin said PN would remain with its stand and were willing to be the opposition with pride and honour.
"Now that is a fight, a struggle. If today we curse and swear at PH, then let us hold on to that principle and values."
Yesterday, Zahid, who is Umno president, had said that the resolution to reject any form of cooperation with PKR, DAP and Bersatu was only for the elections.
"After the general election, let us close ranks. We must get rid of the dirt thrown in Umno's way and the cleaning process is pivotal in ensuring that the political platform is not dirty, inside out," he had said via a post uploaded on his Facebook account.